How to Add Referrer Policy Header in WordPress: Step-by-Step

Improve user privacy by learning how to implement referrer policy headers in WordPress. This guide covers everything you need to know to configure referrer policies.

WordPress is a versatile and user-friendly platform that allows you to create and manage your website with ease. One important aspect of website security is controlling the way your site handles referrer information. By adding a Referrer Policy Header, you can specify how your website should handle referrer data, enhancing the security and privacy of your site.

What is a Referrer Policy Header?

A Referrer Policy Header is an HTTP header that instructs browsers on how to handle the referrer information when navigating from one website to another. The referrer information is the URL of the page that the user was on before visiting your website.

By default, when a user clicks on a link to your website, the browser sends the URL of the previous page as the referrer. This information can be useful for website analytics and tracking, but it can also pose a security and privacy risk.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Referrer Policy Plugin

The easiest way to add a Referrer Policy Header to your WordPress website is by using a plugin. There are several plugins available that can help you achieve this, but for this guide, we will use the “Referrer Policy” plugin.

1. Login to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Plugins” and click on “Add New”.
3. In the search bar, type “Referrer Policy” and press enter.
4. Locate the “Referrer Policy” plugin by “wp-buddy” and click on “Install Now”.
5. Once the installation is complete, click on “Activate” to activate the plugin.

Step 2: Configure the Referrer Policy Settings

After activating the plugin, you need to configure the Referrer Policy settings to specify how you want your website to handle referrer information.

1. Go to “Settings” in your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Click on “Referrer Policy” to access the plugin settings.
3. Choose the desired referrer policy from the available options. The plugin provides various options such as “No Referrer”, “Same Origin”, “Strict Origin”, and more.
4. Review the other settings and make any necessary adjustments.
5. Click on “Save Changes” to apply the new Referrer Policy Header to your website.

Step 3: Test the Referrer Policy

Once you have configured the Referrer Policy settings, it is important to test if the changes are applied correctly.

1. Open a new incognito/private browsing window in your web browser.
2. Visit your website by entering the URL in the address bar.
3. Click on a link within your website that leads to an external website.
4. Inspect the network traffic using the browser’s developer tools or a network monitoring tool.
5. Look for the “Referrer Policy” header in the request headers. It should reflect the policy you configured in the previous step.

Congratulations! You have successfully added a Referrer Policy Header to your WordPress website. By specifying how your website handles referrer information, you can enhance the security and privacy of your site.

Remember to regularly update and maintain your website to ensure optimal performance and security. Stay informed about the latest WordPress updates and security best practices to keep your website safe from potential threats.

Adding a Referrer Policy Header is just one of the many steps you can take to improve your website’s security. Explore other security measures such as using SSL/TLS certificates, implementing strong passwords, and regularly backing up your website.

By prioritizing website security, you can provide a safe and trustworthy experience for your visitors, building credibility and protecting sensitive information.